A Taste of Autumn *At Home Date!*

Spice up the night with a cozy, romantic date at home- focused on the wonderful flavors and colors of fall.

Image courtesy of patrisyu at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Location: Your home!

Cost: You should only need to buy ingredients for your meal. J

Activities (do them in whatever order you want):

-Wear your favorite fall outfit.

-Make a fall-inspired meal together. Some ideas are below.*

-Play your favorite board game together.

-Take pictures outside in the leaves.

*Recipe Ideas:

The Perfect Apple Crisp (The Girl Who Ate Everything)

 “Ingredients

-10 cups all-purpose apples, peeled, cored and sliced (I used about 6 Granny Smith apples)

-3/4 cup white sugar

-1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

-1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon

-1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

“Topping:

-2 cups quick-cooking oats

-2 cups all-purpose flour

-2 cups packed brown sugar

-1/2 teaspoon baking powder

-1/2 teaspoon baking soda

-1 cup butter, melted

-1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

“Instructions

1.      Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.      Place the sliced apples in a 9x13 inch pan. Mix the white sugar, 1 tablespoon flour, nutmeg, and ground cinnamon together, and sprinkle over apples.

3.      For the Topping: Combine the oats, 2 cups flour, brown sugar, pecans, baking powder, baking soda and melted butter together. Crumble evenly over the apple mixture.

4.      Bake at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes.

5.      Serve with vanilla ice cream.”

Nuts About Berries Salad (I Heart Naptime)

“Ingredients:

·         Fresh spinach

·         Fresh strawberries (cut)

·         Fresh blackberries

·         Fresh raspberries

*Cinnamon sugared almonds:*

·         ½ cup sliced almonds

·         2 TB sugar

·         2 TB brown sugar

·         1 tsp cinnamon

*Poppyseed dressing:*

·         1 1/8 cup olive oil

·         1/3 cup red wine vinegar

·         ½ cup sugar

·         ¾ tsp dry mustard

·         ¾ tsp salt

·         1 tsp poppyseed

“Directions:

Wash your salad and berries and set aside.

*Almonds:*

In a small frying pan, combine your almonds and sugar. Cook on medium/low heat and watch closely. Keep stirring as the sugar begins to melt, to keep it from burning. Once sugar has coated the nuts, sprinkle with cinnamon and remove from heat and place on foil to cool.

*Dressing:*

Combine all of the ingredients in a blender or mason jar and mix until combined. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Shake just before serving. For the salad, layer the spinach, berries and nuts and top with dressing.”

Skinny Spaghetti and Meatballs (Pinch of Yum)

“INGREDIENTS

·         1 1/3 lbs. lean ground turkey

·         2 cups minced bell peppers (about 15 mini peppers)

·         2 large eggs

·         ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

·         ¾ cup Italian seasoned whole wheat breadcrumbs

·         ½ teaspoon salt, plus extra salt and pepper

·         35 ounces super smooth spaghetti sauce

·         16 ounces uncooked spaghetti

·         Fresh minced parsley and additional cheese for topping

“INSTRUCTIONS:

1.      Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prep the peppers. Beat the eggs in a large bowl. Add the Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs and stir until thick and sticky. Add the bell peppers, turkey and salt. Mix with your hands to really get the mixture incorporated.

2.      Roll the mixture into meatballs…and place on a greased baking sheet. They WILL stick and brown on the bottom as they bake. Sprinkle the meatballs generously with salt and pepper. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the baking sheet and set aside.

3.      Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Heat the spaghetti sauce in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the meatballs and some fresh parsley; stir gently and cover. Let the mixture simmer until the noodles are done cooking and the sauce is warmed through. Combine the sauce and noodles directly in the pan, or just scoop the sauce on top. Sprinkle with a little cheese for good luck. ;)”

Take some time to spoil yourself and your partner by focusing on each other without distractions for a few hours. If you have children, do this date while they are in bed for the night. Try to accomplish everything on the list and take your time doing all of it!

Reconnection Emphasis/Idea:

Spending time alone, talking together about the things that make you YOU, completing specific tasks, getting in the cozy Autumn mood.

~TRY:

While on this special date, talk to each other about your favorite things- your favorite seasons, favorite foods, favorite hobbies, etc.

***Relationship skill:

---Sometimes married couples feel that they know everything there is to know about each other, but in reality, there is always something new to learn about your spouse! And with the hustle and bustle of life, it can be easy to forget that we need to keep DATING our spouse. Remember when you were dating you wanted to know everything about your boyfriend/girlfriend? Back then, dates were probably focused on talking and having fun. Well, we should not lose this desire and motivation when we get married! Actually, it’s even more important to know the “little” things about your spouse AFTER you marry them! And also remember: Your spouse is still your boyfriend/girlfriend!

98014 or 98121 A Night of Asian Cuisine

Try out this quaint Vietnamese restaurant for a romantic evening out!

Location: Green Leaf Vietnamese Restaurant

Green Leaf has two locations- one in Chinatown and one in Belltown. 

Reconnection Emphasis/Ideas: Eating a meal alone together

~TRY:

Bring a world map with you on this date. During dinner, talk about the places you and your spouse want to visit around the world, and mark on your map these places. Having specific topics of conversation to engage in can help married couples remember that they are still dating each other and that there is always something new to learn about each other!

http://greenleaftaste.com/#!/home/

***Relationship skill:

---Getting married does not have to mean that life stops and that your dreams need to get pushed to the side. Marriage should be quite the opposite, actually! Married partners should help each other fulfill their individual dreams and goals as well as strive to achieve partner dreams- dreams that you have come up with together. Even though traveling to far-away places may be out of the question at various times of life, it is still important (and fun!) to dream about where you want to go and what you want to experience. Making plans together (whether for the near future or distance future) is an encouraging and uplifting way for couples to connect and understand one another. Married couples without dreams and goals to aspire to may be at risk of becoming bored, unfulfilled, and disconnected. Think about all of the things you talked about and dreamt of while you were dating. These conversations and dreams are more important NOW than they were back then! And you don’t just have to make vacation plans together; dream about/plan other aspects of the future, such as parenting goals, your dream home, and your desired empty nester lifestyle.

98109 Movie Night Delight (Outdoor Movie!)

Image courtesy of photostock at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Who doesn’t love a good movie night? Especially when it involves FOOD and CUDDLING?? An outdoor movie night is a great way to enhance your movie night experience with your spouse!

Location: Seattle Cascade Playground

(333 Pontius Ave. N.)

Cost: Free

Take the night off with your sweetie and head to an outdoor movie event! Check out this webpage to look for movie showings: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/downtown/#movies . Make sure to bring plenty of blankets to keep you warm (a perfect excuse to cuddle!). Also, if you’re looking for a tasty snack to bring, try this recipe for Peanut Butter Cup Popcorn, from Our Best Bites.

Reconnection Emphasis/Ideas: Cuddle up while watching a movie (especially if it’s cold enough to use blankets!)

~TRY:

Try holding hands with spouse the entire movie. Holding hands and cuddling outside is very romantic and can be a great way to help you and your spouse feel closer physically as well as emotionally. In addition, discuss how holding hands for a couple of hours straight relates to your unbreakable bond as husband and wife. What are some times/incidents you have felt especially bonded to each other?

***Relationship skill:

---Sometimes a fun and relaxing movie night is exactly what a couple needs to feel close and connected. Usually it is not enough to simply watch the movie- having a deliberate topic for conversation and/or a supplemental activity can enhance the movie night experience. Going to an outdoor movie encourages you and your spouse to get out of the house, bundle up, and sit close to one another. Setting the goal to hold hands throughout the entire movie encourages you and your spouse to focus on each other. Think about how holding hands for a couple of hours straight relates to the unbreakable bond you two have as a married couple. Discuss this analogy and reminisce times when you have felt especially bonded to each other.

*Recipe for Peanut Butter Cup Popcorn, by Our Best Bites

“Ingredients:

-2 bags of Simply Salted (or similar) popcorn (or about 20 cups of popped popcorn)

-2 cups honey roasted peanuts

-3 cups peanut butter chips

-2/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

-1 Tbsp. vegetable shortening or oil

“Instructions:

“Place the peanuts and popped popcorn in a very large bowl. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the peanut butter hips and vegetable oil or shortening and heat for 2-2 ½ minutes or until smooth, stirring every 30 seconds. Drizzle the melted peanut butter chips over the popcorn and peanuts and toss to combine.

“Spread the popcorn onto a wax paper-lined baking sheet. In a Ziploc bag, heat the semi-sweet chocolate chips until just melted and smooth (about 1-1 ½ minutes, mashing the bag every 20-30 seconds). Cut a small corner in the Ziploc bag and drizzle the chocolate over the popcorn. Allow to stand long enough to become solid (you can transfer the pan to the fridge or freezer to hurry this step along). When done, break the popcorn into small pieces and enjoy!”

98127 A Night of Bliss

How about a few hours of complete relaxation? Time spent being pampered and learning how to pamper your spouse? As long as the price tag isn’t too shocking for you, a couples’ massage lesson could be just the thing you and your sweetheart need to feel more connected.

Location: The Love Institute

(5917 Airport Way S.)

Cost: $270

The Love Institute offers private couples’ massage lessons. An instructor will come to your home or hotel room to instruct you and your spouse on massage techniques. To learn more, visit their website:

http://theloveinstitute.com/

Reconnection Emphasis/Ideas: Relaxing together and learning massage techniques that can help you feel more connected and capable in this area of physical touch/intimacy.

~TRY:

Set aside time after the couples massage to allow for intimacy time with your spouse. Practice on each other what you learned during your lesson. A night of pampering and attention may be what you need to light that fire with your honey!

Image courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

***Relationship skill:

---It can be difficult to find the time and the energy to be intimate with your spouse as the craziness of life gets in the way. Sometimes, setting aside special time for each other and taking the time to explore can be just the thing a couple needs to set the mood for an intimate experience. Massage can be a great way to enhance feelings of relaxation, sensuality, and trust. Intimacy and sex is a crucial aspect of marriage. If a married couple is struggling to enjoy a fulfilling sex life, this date night and ones like it can benefit them and help them get back on the right path of fulfilling intimacy. If sex and intimacy is not what you want it to be, couples therapy (including sex therapy) may give you the extra help you need. An exciting, enjoyable sex life is possible and extremely important for married couples; your happiness in this area should not be taken lightly.

Source: http://www.helpguide.org/harvard/tips-to-improve-your-sex-life.htm

98104 Get Your Gamer On

Married to a gamer? Are you a gamer yourself? Here’s the perfect date idea for you and your sweetheart!

Location: The Pinball Museum

(508 Maynard Ave.)

Cost: $13/adult

The Pinball Museum of Seattle showcases 50 arcade games-vintage and new. They even rotate the games so guests can experience lots of different ones. And yes, the games are for playing, not just for admiring! You can satisfy your thirst and hunger while playing and grab one of their snacks or drinks.

http://www.seattlepinballmuseum.com/

Reconnection Emphasis/Ideas: Play games you haven’t played before or in a long time, do something out of the norm, play together

~TRY:

Have friendly competition with your spouse while playing the games! Play multi-player games if available, and/or try to beat each other’s scores on single player games. A little friendly competition can spice things up on this date! J

***Relationship skill:

---Oftentimes, married couples get stuck in a “rut”. When date night does happen, it can be routine, without much “spark”. It takes effort, but planning regular dates that are deliberate can greatly benefit a couple’s romantic and emotional connection. Better yet, working on a relationship skill during the date can strengthen a couple’s love, trust, and compatibility.

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

On this game date, couples can focus on their playful side! Allow yourself to get into the date- get competitive, be silly, and have FUN! Play and humor can help married couples keep their relationship “exciting, fresh, and vibrant” (Fixing Relationship Problems with Humor). Remember how much fun you had while dating each other- how you always wanted to make each other laugh? Doing this is even more important while married! Amidst the stresses life inevitably brings, playfulness and humor can help ease tension and keep a couple feeling young and attracted to one another.

Source: http://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships/fixing-relationship-problems-with-humor.htm